Math

Vox shares an anecdote from math professor Joe Mazur’s book Fluke. It’s about a seemingly miraculous reunion between a lady and her book. Mazur points out that investigation and statistics will reveal that such coincidences are not as rare as we think.

Computers use a variety of different algorithms to sort items into order. In this mesmerizing clip by programmer Timo Bingmann, we not only see how six different algorithms bring order to chaos, but hear them as well.

Math (and Sharpie) lover Vi Hart explores another practical application for calculus, as she explores the mathematics and physics behind drivers who ruin our days on a regular basis. It turns out that these stupid drivers just need to improve their math skills.

Alex Bellos and Edmund Harris’ wonderful coloring book is designed for kids and adults who are fascinated with patterns, geometry, or mathematics. It’s packed with dozens of intricate and soothing designs to help keep your mind distracted from the day’s woes.

Mathpix uses your iOS device’s camera to detect mathematical equations, even handwritten ones. It will then instantly solve the equation and show you the solution step by step, as well as the equation’s graph if possible. Android version coming soon.

YouTuber Standupmaths shows us an old game from the 1960s called The Amazing Dr. NIM. This apparently simple game that combines moving plastic bits and marbles is basically impossible to beat if you follow the rules, thanks to a little mathematical trickery.

That funky mix of letters and numbers at the end of a YouTube URL is the unique pointer to any of the millions of videos on the site. Tom Scott ponders if and when they’ll run out of video IDs, and the rationale behind the current numbering scheme.

You’re stranded in the woods after eating a poisonous mushroom. A specific type of frog offers the antidote, and you must quickly find the female of the species. TED-ed explores how the math of conditional probability could help maximize our chances of survival.

Vsauce talks about how cardists use patterns and probabilities to create long-winded tricks that seem to ensure a random outcome, even though what they’ve really done is the opposite. And then your eyes will glaze over as he explains that 52! is a large number.

YouTube mathematician Vi Hart’s latest video is her most confusing yet, but it’s the most entertaining one as well. Watch and listen as she demonstrates friezes, 2D patterns that repeat in one direction.